Band Photo Credit: Rick Diamond
Live Photos By Angela Winters
The mood was an infectious, one of jovial, light-hearted fun as the members of CLOSE ENEMIES gathered around the storefront/dressing room annex of the Art Theater in Hobart, IN (an hour away from downtown Chicago).
The guys - who humbly describe themselves as "literally the band of hard knocks" - are relaxed and genuinely enthusiastic to expound on the origins of the band and progress to date, while waiting for their pre-gig dinner to arrive following a sound check and meet and greet at the Record Bin shop next door. In light of the setting, one could easily underestimate this band, based on the lack of some of the stereotypical rockstar trappings, but make no mistake, CLOSE ENEMIES is actually a kind of New Classic Rock supergroup that evolved organically, based on most of the various members' professional connections with each other.
The band includes bassist TOM HAMILTON, a founding member and co-songwriter of AEROSMITH; PETER STROUD, guitarist and Musical Director for SHERYL CROW and numerous other national touring acts; TONY BROCK, the British drummer, producer, and background vocalist with many of Rock's biggest icons, but perhaps best known for his ongoing role as drummer for THE BABYS; TRACE FOSTER, the platinum level guitar tech, seasoned guitarist, songwriter, and actual founder of CLOSE ENEMIES; and the newest and youngest member, CHASEN HAMPTON, the diverse and multi-talented vocalist, actor, and producer.
And, while it is easy to call it a project - considering how busy all the members are in other roles in their professional lives - the band members themselves insist that CLOSE ENEMIES is a "real band" - the real deal - and something for which every member has an obvious and infectious enthusiasm.
I had been given the heads-up on all of this by the opening band this night, the highly musically compatible Chicago favorite sons, THE STEEPWATER BAND, who had caught one of the earliest CLOSE ENEMIES shows in Chicago in January. That roaring energy that I had been told to expect would later manifest itself on stage as the five of them commanded, like the consummate professionals they are, a set that includes the four singles that have been released so far ("Rain", "Sweet Baby Jesus", "Sound of a Train" and "Inside Out") and other original songs that will ultimately wind up on a full album later this year, in conjunction with more extensive Autumn touring. The set of 14 songs also included beloved covers of the band members' other bands as well, i.e. AEROSMITH and THE BABYS. While the venue this night was a loudly intimate one, there was no doubt whatsoever that the glowing gravitas and power of the band is sure to find them commanding larger venues in short order.
But back to the interview (which can be listened to BELOW), main topics included:
1) How the band evolved within the last two years as an original concept of guitarist TRACE FOSTER, including first onboarding PETER STROUD, then TOM HAMILTON, then TONY BROCK, and, finally, CHASE HAMPTON, after an extensive talent search.
2) How the band works together to rehearse and compose new material in light of the various far-flung home cities that include Boston, Atlanta, and Nashville.
3) How the band enjoys the special chemistry they've found, and the surprising lack of arguments and ego.
4) The strategy for releasing songs slowly as an adaptation for the realities of today's rock music landscape.
5) The difficulties of creating a tour schedule that can accommodate the competing demands of other aspects of their careers, but how they are determined to make it a priority.
6) What it's like to rehearse and brainstorm at "Wayne's World East" - the working nickname for the basement at PETER STROUD's place in Atlanta.
7) How the band describes its genre, diverse music and influences.
Finally, while TOM HAMILTON sees the band going on for the foreseeable future ("We're having a good time!") and TONY BANKS emphatically noted, "We don't want it to stop! This is not a project. This is a band. This is what we want to do," perhaps CHASEN HAMPTON sums it up best: "As the younger guy, I feel like the world needs more of this kind of music ... and [this band] kind of helps to continue that tradition to save Rock 'n' Roll, you might say!"
